STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
102nd Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2023
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
10:00 a.m.
Pursuant to rule 1.101, in the absence of the Presiding Officers, the Senate was called to order by the Secretary of the Senate.
Motions and Communications
The following communication was received:
Judicial Tenure Commission
May 25, 2023
The year 2022 was filled with positive developments for the Commission. First and foremost, the Commission thanks the Legislature, Governor Whitmer and the Supreme Court for their support in providing the Commission with additional resources it needs to ensure the judiciary is working for the people of the state.
For the first time since before the turn of the century additional full-time attorney/investigator positions have been added to our staff. The additional staff were necessary for the Commission to begin to address the large backlog of cases that has been growing over the past several years due to the increased complexity of the issues that are brought before the Commission and the increased number of complaints that have warranted a full investigation. These personnel additions required the Commission to move into a larger office space.
The Commission also worked with the Association of Black Judges of Michigan to modify our internal operating procedures to create a process to address complaints against staff members and to memorialize the Commission’s existing practices of seeking out such exculpatory information as might exist and promptly providing information, including any exculpatory information, to respondent judges who are charged in a public complaint.
Finally, the Commission recognized the importance of protecting the confidentiality of grievants whose situation gives them a reasonable fear of retribution if they bring concerns to our attention. After reviewing the practices our sister states follow to protect grievants and potential grievants who report suspected judicial misconduct, the Commission proposed revisions to the Michigan Court Rules to provide for grievant confidentiality when appropriate, while at the same time ensuring that respondent judges have full access to the allegations and evidence against them if they are charged in a public complaint. After receiving public comment the Supreme Court will determine which, if any, of those recommendations to implement.
With this backdrop I am pleased to present the 2022 Annual Report of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. This report informs the public and all branches of state government about the Commission’s duties, operations, and actions.
The Commission is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities to the people of the State of Michigan. It thanks its devoted and professional staff members for their continued hard work and assistance. We hope the vigilant and dedicated work of the Commission will preserve and promote the public’s confidence in the integrity, independence, and fairness of the Michigan judiciary.
Very truly yours,
Hon. Jon H. Hulsing
Chairperson
For the Commission
The communication was referred to the
Secretary for record.
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
May 25, 2023
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 196 of 1973, MCL 15.344:
State Board of Ethics
Ms. Leslee Fritz of 2915 S. Cambridge Road, Lansing, Michigan 48911, county of Ingham, reappointed to represent Democrats, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring February 7, 2027.
Ms. Catherine McClure of 10340 Scio Church Road, Chelsea, Michigan 48188, county of Washtenaw, reappointed to represent Democrats, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring February 7, 2027.
May 25, 2023
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointments to office pursuant to Public Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.16121 and 333.18221:
Michigan Board of Psychology
Ms. Latricia Powell of 6317 State Street, Suite 2, Saginaw, Michigan 48603, county of Saginaw, succeeding Mindy Bradish-Orta whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring December 31, 2026.
Mr. John Randle of 21951 Boulder Drive, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48335, county of Oakland, succeeding Melinda Fernandes whose term has expired, appointed to represent the general public, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring December 31, 2026.
May 25, 2023
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 299 of 1980, MCL 339.303 and 339.2402:
Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board
Mr. Troy Young of 9709 Fountain Lane, Fowlerville, Michigan 48836, county of Livingston, succeeding Herman Harris whose term has expired, appointed to represent licensed residential builders, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring March 31, 2027.
May 25, 2023
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office pursuant to Public Act 345 of 1990, MCL 54.263:
State Survey and Remonumentation Commission
Mrs. Karen Hahn of 400 Elm Street, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307, county of Mecosta, reappointed to represent grant administrators, for a term commencing May 25, 2023 and expiring October 20, 2026.
Respectfully,
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Pursuant to rule 3.104 the Senate proceeded to the order of
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senators Hertel, Damoose, Hauck, Irwin, Bellino, Geiss, Camilleri, Hoitenga and Anthony introduced
Senate Bill No. 365, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 5553, 5555, 5557, and 5561 (MCL 333.5553, 333.5555, 333.5557, and 333.5561), as added by 2014 PA 269, and by adding sections 5560 and 5562.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
Senators McCann, Irwin, Shink, Singh, Wojno and Polehanki introduced
Senate Bill No. 366, entitled
A bill to amend 1969 PA 165, entitled “An act to authorize the public service commission to establish and enforce gas safety standards; and to provide penalties for violations thereof,” by amending section 11 (MCL 483.161), as amended by 1992 PA 11.
The bill was read a first and second time
by title and referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
Announcements of Printing and Enrollment
Senate Bill Nos. 359 360 361 362 363 364
House Bill Nos. 4664 4665 4666 4667 4668 4669 4670 4671 4672 4673 4674 4675 4676 4677 4678 4679 4680 4681 4682 4683 4684 4685 4686
House Joint Resolution C
In pursuance of the order previously made, the Secretary of the Senate declared the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL OBERLIN
Secretary of the Senate